One of the first duties of new Narromine Shire Council Mayor, Ewen Jones, was to attend the local Dolly Parton Festival, and he loved every minute of it!“This was the third Dolly Parton Festival in Narromine,” Cr Jones said. “It's been in the making for quite some time, but Covid stopped the first few from going ahead. This year we had about 1500 people at the oval on Sunday night for the bands and there were 1000 people in the streets at times.”Narromine was singing “Here You Come Again” at top note, welcoming the 2024 Dolly Parton Festival which transformed the town into a vibrant celebration of music, fun and community spirit.But, why Dolly Parton?“A few years back the locals got together and decided we needed some kind of event to put a bit of a cash injection into the local economy and they decided on a Dolly Parton Festival,” Cr Jones said. “Unfortunately, earlier this year the event was cancelled. We were grateful for the state government stepping in with funding, as that enabled to go ahead. The thing is that came with a stipulation of free entry to the event which doesn't give any scope to put funds away for next year, so we will have to look into community funding, and we’ve already made a start with that.”Special guests at the event (besides the many Dollys) included Jennifer Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Road, who attended festivities on the Saturday night.“It was lovely to meet her, and we also had Dugald Saunders attend," Mr Jones said. “It was a great atmosphere and no sign of any trouble. Everybody was just happy and having a great time.”Dandaloo Street was closed off for the festivities, with the whole community coming together in perfect spring weather for a street party that kicked off the fun. The event featured live performances, food, market stalls, children’s activities, and of course, plenty of people dressing up as Dolly and Kenny!“Islands in the Stream” played on as Narromine’s Cale Oval hosted the main evening event, with performances from stars like Tanya Andrew, Timberlina, and Brooke McMullen.The crowd also cheered for the best-dressed Dolly and Kenny lookalikes. The band Ballz'N'All brought the evening to a close, keeping the festival goers dancing and singing until late.Once again, the realisation of the 2024 Narromine Dolly Parton Festival was made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers, led by Susie Rae and Skye Rush, whose efforts turned the event into a true "Coat of Many Colours" triumph.Narromine Shire Council thanked the community for embracing this fun-filled event and making it a calendar highlight. The organising committee also extended gratitude to everyone who joined came along to celebrate.“From the foot-stomping music and dazzling costumes to the delicious food and incredible atmosphere, it was truly a celebration to remember. Your enthusiasm and support made this festival shine brighter than a rhinestone cowboy!” the committee said on social media.“A special shout-out to all the volunteers, performers, vendors, and sponsors (and an extra big shout out to Phil at Narromine Shire Council) who worked tirelessly to make this event a success. We couldn't have done it without your dedication and passion!We hope you all had a fantastic time singing, dancing, and creating unforgettable memories with us. Stay tuned for updates on next year's festivities—it's sure to be even bigger and better!""Until then, keep spreading the Dolly spirit and take care, y'all!”

A 12-year-old Noona girl has been located safe and well after she was reported missing on Saturday.   Police made a public call for information on 12 October for the girl's whereabouts after she had last been spotted in the area, about 80 kilometres west of Cobar. Last seen in a Sydney Roosters football jersey and Crocs shoes, police held concerns because of her age. "With the assistance of officers from the SES, Rural Fire Service and numerous landowners using quad bikes and helicopters, conducted an extensive search of bushland in Noona. About 5.30pm, the girl was located safe," a police representative said. "Central North Police District would like to thank the community and the media for their assistance."

Environmentalists are pushing for the Macquarie Marshes to be relisted for environmental protections as public comments to the federal government close tomorrow. The government gave the Marshes 'Threatened Ecological Community' status in the 2013, which was reversed in December that year after the new Liberal-Nationals government took office from Labor. Nature Conservation Council water campaigner Mel Gray said the body will make a submission. "We need more layers of protection for this really special and important landscape," she said. "What we've seen in recent times is mining exploration licenses issued for key parts at the heart of the Macquarie Marshes right near Ramsar wetlands and the nature reserve, in the actual wetland itself. "The Macquaire Marshes are a patchwork of interconnected wetlands and floodplains that form one of the largest remaining semi-permanent wetlands in southern Australia, and they're a crucially important site for waterbird breeding." READ: Rare endangered bird tagged in Macquarie Marshes A Ramsar-listed site is a wetland listed as internationally important under the 1975 Ramsar Convention established by UNESCO. Each year the federal government invites public nominations for areas that merit 'threatened' listing under national environmental law. The "Wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes" were nominated in 2023 for 'endangered' and 'critically endangered' status.The marshes provide habitat to wetland bird species. PHOTO: Leanne Hall That nomination is taking public comment as part of what is called the draft Conservation Advice. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee is due to hand their advice to the Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, by 29 November 2024. River ecologist Professor Richard Kingsford, who has worked in the Macquarie Marshes for 25 years, said the listing would cover more of the Marshes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.  "That doesn't mean that developments don't go ahead, but there's a much higher bar to go over, and it also means scrutiny by the federal government on any developments that might cause problems," said Prof. Kingsford, also Director of the Center for Ecosystem Science at the University of New South Wales."It has all of the challenges of any inland areas in terms of things like pigs and cats and foxes. "What we're trying to do here - and the government's trying to do here - is really get as much protection for the system as possible." Concerns were raised for the Marshes after the NSW Resources Regulator granted approval in April for Canadian mining company Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings to explore for copper and gold in the wetland reserve. The approval was overturned on 25 July and the company was given until 23 August to submit more information for its application. The miner and its opponents are still waiting for the regulator's final call.

Traffic west of Cobar on the Barrier Highway was diverted for up to ten hours after a fatal crash yesterday.Normal access has resumed in the area following the single-vehicle crash that killed a 14-year-old boy yesterday morning. Police confirmed that traffic reopened at around 7:30pm last night between Cobar and Wilcannia.  The highway was closed for around nine to ten hours as emergency services, Transport for NSW and the Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene in Cubba, about 25 kilometres west of Cobar. Motorists travelling between Cobar and Wilcannia stood to add around 6.5 hours to their travel time due to diversions, according to Live Traffic NSW.  The teenager was one of four passengers in the car. Two of the passengers were not injured.  The 23-year-old driver was uninjured and taken to Cobar District Hospital for mandatory testing. She was later taken to Cobar Police Station and charged with dangerous driving occasioning death. She was given conditional bail to appear before Cobar Local Court on Wednesday 27 November 2024. 

The head of a body representing Bourke, Walgett and Cobar shires has welcomed a federal government report mapping its approach to regional aviation.   The Aviation White Paper, released in August, sets the government's long-term policy agenda and said the Productivity Commission (PC) will hold a review of regional airfares.  "It's good that the government's recognised that connecting regional Australia is critical from a wide range in viewpoints, like in relation to health, education, training, availability of professional services and getting people to remote areas," said Ross Earl, Executive Officer of the Far North West Joint Organisation.  The 240-page report said the PC inquiry will probe impacts of regional airfares and advise on ways to "maintain appropriate levels of regional air connectivity at acceptable prices."  The report said that existing programs supporting remote and regional airport upgrades, like the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program (RAU), are "oversubscribed" and need "strategic investment."   It also said the government will update the RAU's grant guidelines to consider how applicants’ activities support Closing the Gap targets, like improving access to health services.   The paper was released after regional carrier Rex Airlines, which runs routes between Dubbo and Sydney, entered into voluntary administration in July.   The federal government committed to guaranteeing Rex customers during the administration period, meaning they will be entitled to a full refund if their flights are cancelled.   "In Aviation White Paper consultations, stakeholders expressed the firm view that regional aviation is increasingly not adequately serving the community’s needs, with high prices and limited services. Competition in regional aviation has been reducing since the deregulation of aviation in the 1990s," the white paper said.   "Between 1989 and 2021, the number of regional routes fell from 458 to 291 and the number of remote routes fell from 264 to 163.144 Many routes are now serviced by a monopoly operator." 

The next step in tougher bail laws for people charged with serious domestic violence offences has just begun. From Friday 11 October any alleged serious domestic violence offender who is granted bail will be electronically monitored around the clock using GPS technology. The new program allows Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to track alleged offenders against geographic bail conditions.If an alleged offender enters an exclusion zone, such as residential addresses, school and work locations for people in need of protection, a notification to CSNSW will be triggeredOnce they are aware of the breach, corrections officers will contact NSW Police. If there are concerns for a person in need of protection, the Corrections team can also alert them to a potential bail breach in real time, allowing potential victims to enact their safety plan.Andrew Mensforth, Acting Superintendent for the Central North Police District, is currently based in Walgett and said while local police do not directly oversee people with electronic monitoring devices, they are quickly notified should someone breach their conditions.“We are informed if there is a breach in regard to the monitoring and quickly respond to that,” he said. “There are several people out in the field that we look after already.”“The monitoring has always been there, but the government has now given police extra powers that, if we arrest someone and think it’s necessary, we can request that this monitoring can go on.”The Government has also introduced legislation to create Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders. These new orders will allow the court to impose any conditions considered appropriate to prevent a person’s involvement in domestic abuse.  It’s not a title that any region wants to have, but in recent years, the Far West and Orana Region is has had the highest rate of domestic violence related assaults of any geographic region in NSW. It also has the highest number of domestic violence incidents occasioning grievous bodily harm. In the 12 months to March 2020, Coonamble, Walgett, Broken Hill and Dubbo Regional council areas, in particular, ranked as four of the top five local government areas for highest rates of domestic violence related assault, with rates up to 7.5 times higher than the state average.Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said women, children, and others in danger deserve to live their lives in safety, free from the threat of domestic violence.  “This intense monitoring shows alleged domestic violence offenders how serious the government is about preventing domestic violence on all front,” Mr Chantivong said.Jodie Harrison, who is Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault said the latest steps were part of a coordinated, multi-pronged response to addressing domestic and family violence in our state that includes earlier intervention and primary prevention. “Electronic monitoring of people accused of serious domestic violence while they are out on bail prioritises victim-survivors’ safety and ensures alleged perpetrators abide by their bail conditions," she said.  If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800respect.org.au 

It was a full program across Coonamble over the October Long Weekend.With the Greyhound Racing Carnival in full swing, their famous calcutta, the Harvest Lunch, the Tinderalla comedy show and a number of private celebrations, a free country music concert was the icing on the cake.Coonamble's main street was transformed on the night of Saturday 5 October for its first-ever Vision Splendid country music festival with big-name country acts Lee Kernaghan, the Wolfe Brothers and Coonamble's own Max Jackson. The main street was closed off from the early afternoon to allow for the bands to do their soundcheck. The event kicked off around 6 pm with Max Jackson playing some of her most well known songs and even introducing some new ones such a Hold My Horses. Following Max was long-time Australian country music singer Lee Kernaghan who had some diehard fans in the crowd cheering him on. While he was on stage, Lee commented that it was great to see small towns get put on the map with festivals that have the potential to attract people from all over Australia even beyond to come and see what's out west. It was almost impossible to count but several hundred people showed up for the lively nighttime event. The Coonamble Shire Council organised the festival with the help of the Open Streets grant, designed to reinvigorate the nightlife in town centres across the state. Along Castlereagh Street Swanny's Foods, Gumnut Cafe and the Global Village café kept their doors open and were bolstered by other food stalls from the Rotary and Lions Clubs, CWA and authentic Indian dishes from the Mobil Service Centre to feed the hungry crowd. "It was great," Global Village café owner Ahmad Karanouh said. "A bit loud but it was good."Castlereagh Street, Coonamble was packed with concert-goers jockeying for position. The station's manager Bill Carroll got the chance to interview Max Jackson and the singer signed six hats which the radio station will be giving away to listeners."It was absolutely fantastic," the new president of the Community Radio Station Martin Bennett said. "We had a great time."The Coonamble Shire Council said they were very pleased with how the event went. "We were very happy with it and the feedback almost universally was positive," Director of Community, Planning, Development & Environment Barry Broe said.  "The most common feedback was people said it was fantastic to see so many people in the main street, as well as the music itself being excellent."With entry limited to the northern end of the main street, some festival goers pointed out that for future events, access would need to be improved to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, and better lighting to make people feel safe walking to their cars in the dark. Mr Broe said that council would like to hold a similar event again next year. "We would certainly like to hold such an event yearly, but it is subject to grant funding. "We will be having an internal de-brief with the full team to take any lessons from it, the positives and any areas to make it even better."  

Drivers are warned that the Barrier Highway is closed west of Cobar and they will need to take alternate routes for their travel in the area.Diversions available westbound from Cobar: Kidman Way to Goolgowi, Mid-Western Highway to ay and Cobb Highway to Wilcannia.Eastbound from Wilcannia: Cobb Highway to Hay, Mid-Western Highway to Goolgowie and Kidman Way to Cobar.Travel on these roads suit all terrain vehicles and are estimated to add 6.5 hours to your travel time.

The Barrier Highway, west of Cobar has been closed to traffic after a fatal accident this morning.A 14-year-old boy is reported to have died after the car he was travelling in rolled over near Cubba, 25km west of Cobar.Emergency services were called to the site shortly after 8:30am. The boy, who died at the scene, was one of four passengers in the vehicle.The driver, a 23-year-old woman, was not injured. She was arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.Two other passengers were not injured.Police have established a crime scene and have begun investigations into the cause of the crash.The Barrier Hwy was closed in both directions at Cubba, between Kidman Way and the Cobb Hwy.Traffic diversions were in place and drivers have been advised to delay their travel until the highway reopens.A report will be prepared for the coroner.Anyone with any information or dashcam footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Some may think it ironic that the subject of social media use has been such a hot topic in the media lately, but any irony is lost on organisations at the helm of a push to raise the minimum age for having social media accounts from 13 years to 16 years in Australia.Social media access has had free reign for too long - that is the sentiment as SA and NSW governments are planning to co-host their first-ever Social Media Summit, set to examine social media’s effects on young people. Meanwhile Change.org is petitioning to raise the minimum age for social media accounts and has garnered over 120,000 signatures.As a result of public pressure, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently announced his government’s plan to introduce legislation setting a minimum age for social media use. Instagram has also announced it will introduce "teen accounts" for people under 18, limiting what they can view and who can contact them. Evidence linking early exposure to social media with an increase in mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and self-harm among teenagers prompted Nova radio presenter Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli to back the campaign which has bipartisan support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. “Over 120,000 Australians have come together to push for this change to 16,” Wippa said. “We’re giving young Australians the time they need to develop emotionally before exposing them to the pressures of the online world. This support for the Change.org petition is sending a clear message to the Prime Minister that we must do more to protect our kids by raising the age to 16." It is almost exactly a year since mobile phones were banned in high schools in New South Wales. The ban on mobile phones applies during class, recess, and lunch times.In the wake of new concerns, some western plains schools have tightened regulations even further.At Narromine High School, parents and caregivers were recently informed that the school’s mobile phone policy would be adjusted “to prevent anti-social behaviour and increase student engagement in learning.”Students will be required to have their mobile phones off and away from bell to bell, meaning once students arrive at school, it is expected that they have their mobile phones off and away. This extends to the use of smart watches, air pods and other listening devices. Although some exemptions will apply, students can face suspension after three incidents.IMAGE: Narromine High SchoolOf course, not everyone is happy with this proposed national plan to raise the minimum age for having social media accounts from 13 to 16 in Australia. Petitions have also been created to oppose the idea. Arguments against include that such a ban would isolate young people from essential online platforms that provide education, connection, and self-expression. “A current proposed blanket ban for social media for kids under the age of 16 will isolate large parts of our community who already face devastating isolation in their communities. "LGBQTIA+, neurodiverse kids, such as those with ADHD, ASD, mental health difficulties, kids with disabilities, and kids in violent families. We need a different solution to tackle the issues here,” petition creator, Leela Galen-Wynn said.The growing momentum in Australia to raise the minimum age for social media is part of a broader global movement of parents, educators, and advocates for stronger online protections to protect children from the dangers of early social media exposure and create safer online environments for young people. For more information about the campaigns and to view the petitions, visit Change.org/36Months or Change.org/LetThemBeKids 

Initial "technical difficulties" aside, the comedy show Tinderella performed by creative director of Theatre on Toast Alyce Fisher had the audience laughing out loud on the evening of 4 October.  "Not everything went according to plan but that's the beauty of live theatre, you just have to roll with what's happening live in the space. "Yes, unexpected things happened but we survived." The lighting got knocked over by the photographers and the audience took a while to warm up but in the end, the show turned out to be a success.  "It was hard work but it was a lot of fun," Ms Fisher told the Coonamble Times.  The two main characters of the show are Tinderella and her Fairy Godmother who also acts as the narrator and gives you a sneaky behind-the-scenes look at Tinderella's love life.  Tinderella herself is only introduced when she holds a TED Talk about how she uses Tinder and her credentials within the contemporary dating landscape.  "It's a very educational show but all grounded in storytelling, humour, and having a laugh." PHOTO: The Plaza Theatre came alive on Friday 4 October with the comedic (and fairly enlightening) performance of Tinderella. Around 40 people were in the audience.  "We were excited by the amount of people. It was incredible."  Ms Fisher said they welcomed people from all ages to the Coonamble show.  "We had people from their late teens right through to their 60s and 70s. There was a really good mix of genders as well." "I just love the Plaza Theatre. It's such a beautiful space. It's so wonderful it's being used again and I really do hope it continues to receive funding, so they can restore the building and take it back to its former glory in a contemporary way."  "As for any sort of country town, you're never quite sure who's going to show up and what kind of experiences they are going to have. That is why I treat every show in a unique way.  "I think it's a privilege to be invited out to regional communities and perform in venues that perhaps don't get as many people coming through."  Ms Fisher is currently writing a sequel to Tinderella called Parenting Partners which is about creating a family outside of heterosexual norm.

Conservationists made a rare breakthrough in the Macquarie Marshes this month when they tagged a tracker onto five Australian Painted Snipes (APS). The endangered species, which in a 2021 population count recorded just 340 mature-age birds, don't tend to stay in one spot for long. In fact, NSW wildlife ecologist Matt Herring's team had only caught two since they began tracking them almost two years ago as part of the Australian Painted Snipes and Information and Tracking Project.So when he received word about three weeks ago from graziers Garry and Leanne Hall saying they spotted around ten of the critters on their property on the edge of the Macquarie Marshes, Matt came out as quickly as he could with researcher Inka Velthiem. "Almost all of APS sights are just of one or two birds, and they're moving through. They're only there for perhaps a couple of days, a week if you're lucky," Matt said. "But then we have these tiny handful of sites like Garry and Leanne's, where the birds stay for months." The team first set up nets on Saturday 5 September where the birds had been seen concentrating.The birds were caught using mist nets over three days. PHOTO: Australian Painted Snipe Information and Tracking ProjectIn their first session, they caught Thomasina, named in honour of late Birding NSW president Tom Karplus, who died in August 2023. They caught Charuni and Knighty in the next section before Dan and Hope flew into the net during a final session on Monday night 7 October. "We were overjoyed. It's hard enough to find the birds in the first place, let alone catch put a transmitter on them," Matt said. "They're super rare, but for me I think they're the most beautiful bird in the world. Their pattern, their plumage, is just stunning. "They love shallow areas with this delicate balance of mud flats and vegetation cover- not too much, not too little. So, they're quite picky." A BirdLife Australia study published in 2014 found around 39 per cent of the recorded APS population were in the Murray-Darling Basin.An image taken of Hope, caught on Friday 7 September. PHOTO: Australian Painted Snipe Information and Tracking ProjectMatt said there isn't scientific certainty pointing to a particular reason for population decline, although he said habitat loss and feral predators like cats and foxes would have taken their toll. However, he said numbers could have received a boost from increased wetland habitat created by a rare three La Niñas over five years in Australia.  He hopes the trackers will help understand the bird's movement patterns and develop a path to conservation.  "Because they are so dynamic - they arrive at sites one day and then they're gone at the next - we suspect that there's some sort of migratory pattern," he said. "Those first two birds - Gloria and Marcelina - [tagged before the five in the Macquarie Marshes] have indicated what we speculated on, that there's some sort of north-south migration happening. "As it gets cold in the southern range, they start heading north. They basically chase they warmer weather." Bird-lovers can track the snipes' progress on the Australian Painted Snipe website.

At least six new mayors with have been voted to Western Plains councils, with only Lachlan Shire yet to decide their leaders. Warren, Narromine, Coonamble, Bourke, Warrumbungle and Brewarrina councillors have elected fresh faces to the top job. With one vacancy still remaining, Lachlan Council needs to hold a by-election in November to fill the seat before councillors can vote on leadership. Warren PHOTO: Western Plains AppFarmer Greg Whiteley replaces long-serving councillor Milton Quigley as Mayor. Mr Quigley who did not recontest in the September local government elections. Cr Whiteley was elected unopposed and has been on the council from 2021. Sarah Derrett was also re-elected as Deputy Mayor. Former Mayor Quigley, who served six years in the role, said he is optimistic about the shire's future. "Their (councillors) commitment to serving our community will undoubtedly drive forward our shared goals and improve the quality of life for all residents,” he said. CoonambleMayor Dan Keady and Deputy Mayor Steven Butler. PHOTO: The Coonamble TimesA two-person contest between Dan Keady and Karen Churchill saw Cr Keady win 8-1 via secret ballot. The vote for Deputy was one of the most hotly contested in the Western Plains, with Marg Garnsey, Paul Wheelhouse, Steven Butler and Cr Churchill throwing their hat in the ring. Cr Butler, a businessman and local hardware store manager, will take up the role during his first stint on council. Cr Keady is heading into his second term, although non-consecutive, on council, and this will be his first time as leader of the chamber. “I am honoured to be elected as the Mayor and look forward to working hard with all Councillors to deliver effective services for the community," Cr Keady said. "Our first meeting was very productive and showed clearly the wide range of activities and initiatives we need to work together to implement, as well as challenges to overcome.” Brewarrina The new term's councilors with senior staff. PHOTO: Brewarrina Shire CouncilFormer Mayor Vivian Slack-Smith will be serving as Deputy Mayor, after two terms in the top job. The lead role has gone to Tommy Stanton, who becomes the second First Nations mayor to lead the council. “In my past 10 years serving on council, I have been incredibly proud of our community’s growth and resilience," Cr Stanton said. "As Mayor, I am committed to and look forward to building on this growth and I am excited to be a part of shaping our modern and vibrant future, one we are all proud to call home." “Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility.” WalgettPHOTO: Western Plains AppCollarenebri-raised Jasen Ramien returns unopposed as Mayor via secret ballot. The earthmoving business runner was elected as a councillor in the 2021 local government election and replaced Walgett's outgoing first female Mayor Jane Kier in September 2023. He'll join returning Deputy Mayor Greg Rummery, who faced Pauline Kearl in a contest for the role. “Being elected by my peers to lead the Council again is a great honour, and I hope I will prove worthy of their trust in me,” Cr Ramien said.“I am also pleased to have Cr Greg Rummery as my Deputy Mayor and I believe we will continue to work together with the rest of the councillors to represent the communities we serve."Bourke Businessman Lachlan Ford takes over from Barry Hollmann as Mayor. Cr Ford, who took over as Manager in 2022 at the Bourke Bowling Club, won the ballot 7-3 from Maxime Nina through a show of hands. Fellow re-elected councillor Sally Davis was elected unopposed as Deputy.  NarromineNarromine Deputy Mayor Stacey Bohm and Mayor Ewen Jones. IMAGE: Narromine Shire CouncilBoth Mayor and Deputy Mayor roles were contested and decided by a show of hands. Former Fire and Rescue NSW captain Ewen Jones headed off fellow re-elected councillor Les Lambert in the mayoral contest. Cr Lambert also threw his hat in the ring for the Deputy role but was outvoted by Stacey Bohm. Cr Jones replaces Craig Davies as Mayor, who was also returned as a sitting councillor. Bogan Staff and new councillors for Bogan Shire. PHOTO: Bogan Shire Council. Glen Neill was elected for his second term as Mayor after securing almost 35 per cent of first preference votes in the general election. Second-termer Karl Bright took the second most first-preference votes - about 11 per cent - and will join him as Deputy. Former Deputy Victoria Boag chose not to stand for her old role, so both men were elected uncontested. Gilgandra Gilgandra Deputy Mayor Ash Walker and Mayor Doug Batten. IMAGE: Gilgandra Shire CouncilThe council remains largely unchanged after the September elections and it was the same for the mayoral votes. Doug Batten was unanimously returned unopposed as Mayor, as was Deputy Mayor Ash Walker. This will be Cr Batten's 16th year in the role, while Cr walker will serve his 13th consecutive year as Deputy. Cobar   PHOTO: Western Plains AppNo general election was held in Cobar in September due to insufficient candidates registering to contest the 12 seats. That meant that the mayoral vote could happen earlier than most other shires, with Mayor Jarred Marsden and Deputy Michael Prince elected unopposed. Warrumbungle PHOTO: Western Plains AppThe shire also didn't hold an election due to lack of candidates. Kathryn Rindfleish takes over from former councillor Ambrose Doolan as Mayor, while Jason Newton joins her as Deputy.

Over $15,000 in prize money was up for grabs on Saturday 5 September as around 140 cowboys and cowgirls took part in the Cobar Rodeo. Between around 350 and 400 spectators passed the gate for the one-day spectacle, with around 80-90 cattle and horses. "It was a top day. We had 152 entries and it was a very successful day," Cobar Rodeo president Crockett Brown. Some riders entered into more than one event. Champion bareback rider Dee Heinemann won the Beeza Memorial Bareback, scoring 82 points riding Stone Age. Riders also competed in the second year of the intertown 'Best in the West' titles, where the winners are decided through average scores between the Nevertire and Cobar rodeos.   Cobar Rodeo president Crockett Brown with 2024 Best in the West Open Saddle bronc winner Michael Johnston. PHOTO: Jodie Adams PhotographyOberon's Charlie Bailey took home the belt buckle for the open bull ride, while Texan Michael Johnston earned his own in the saddle bronc.  Brendon Crawley took the Best in the West buckle for the open bareback, Berneice Edwards for the ladies' barrel race. President Brown said he hopes that Nevertire's rodeo will next year run the day after Cobar's event. "They'll do Cobar on the Saturday, then back to Nevertire on the Sunday," Mr Brown said. "That just puts your entries up a bit more because a lot of the cowboys will have a rodeo to go to on their way home. "It'll help both rodeos." This year, Nevertire took place on 28 September on Saturday before Cobar. Mr Brown said next year the rodeo may also add a juvenile bull ride for 14-18-year-olds.

A small but determined community group from Tullibigeal in Lachlan Shire are about to achieve the completion of a project to restore a local icon, with plans to celebrate already underway.Back in the early 1980s, Lachlan Shire Council provided the community with their first ever fire truck, fire engine No. 82, purchased from Lockhart.Prior to obtaining the Bedford truck, firefighting around the small village was undertaken with privately owned water carts and knap sacks.Fast forward to 1991 and during a large bushfire, most of the men in town were called away to tackle the blaze in another, newer fire truck.This left the women of the town to use the old Bedford and protect it from spot fires and the threat of disaster. Their heroic efforts paid off and subsequently the Bedford was colloquially known as 'the ladies fire truck.'The truck fell into disrepair, but in early 2023 a grant of $125,000 was secured by the local council meant it would be restored and housed as a permanent exhibit in the town in an enclosed shed with relevant signage.“We found a young fellow from Yenda, by the name of Andrew Crook who could do part of the work,” Janelle Ireland, a member of the Tullibigeal Progress Association ."Andrew did the exterior restoration and someone else did the mechanical repairs. The fire engine was still drivable but had to be tuned up and brakes repaired and that sort of thing.“The local shire council got the grant to do the enclosure and the building is on Crown Land next to the Community Centre in Tulli. Basically, council built the enclosure and Progress paid for the restoration of the vehicle.”Lachlan Shire Council have issued an open invitation for anyone interested to come along for the opening of the site on Sunday 20 October at the Tullibigeal Community Centre.There will be an official opening and lunch, along with a car display.“As well as the fire truck ceremony, we will have classic cars on display which are coming from all around including Griffith, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, and West Wyalong,” Ms Ireland said.“Many are from different car interest groups who decided to come for a drive for the day.“The cars will be lined up along the street so people can have a look over them. There will be a couple of fire trucks as well, but since it is fire season, there will not be many as they obviously need to stay within their own area in case of an emergency.“Doug Turriff, who is a member of our Progress Association, will talk about the story of the Ladies Fire Truck and council is also putting a storyboard up at the new location so anyone travelling around can learn all about it.“At Progress, we are pretty rapt that this project has concluded. The truck looks amazing. It’s not a new track and it's still got its bruises and scratches, but it's polished up, has plenty of character and tells an important local story.” 

Pull out the hankies and hunt down the antihistamines, the super sneezy season is upon us.The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is predicting that much of New South Wales will receive above median rainfall for the last three months of the year, prompting the National Asthma Council of Australia to issues warnings to those affected by pollen production.AirHealth and Campbelltown Hospital jointly operate the Sydney Pollen monitoring program and are forecasting increased pollen levels because of these seasonal conditions.And while the bulk of the monitoring sites are in the capital cities, experts are warning that those much further west may be at even higher risk of serious impacts.“The anticipated increase in grass pollen levels could pose challenges for individuals who suffer from asthma or hay fever,” Professor Connie Katelaris from Campbelltown Hospital said.“It’s important for people to be aware of the heightened risk and take proactive steps to prevent and manage their symptoms.”Soil moisture levels are much higher than last year across the entire Western Plains. BOM’s Enhanced Vegetation Index clearly shows what a difference 12 months can make.This, combined with recent research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) heightens concerns for asthma sufferers, particularly our region’s young Indigenous people.Australia’s asthma hotspots have been revealed in the new UNSW Sydney-led study, which found higher proportions of childhood asthma in areas with greater disadvantage and a higher Indigenous population. In general, asthma is more common among children in regional Australia, occurring at more than double the national average in some communities, new research shows.Across all ages, asthma is the most common chronic respiratory condition among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and a leading cause of hospitalisation.Environmental factors, socioeconomic deprivation, ethnicity and limited access to health care could all be contributing to the trend, said senior report author Dr Nusrat Homaira, a senior lecturer with UNSW’s School of Clinical Medicine. “People on lower incomes are more likely to be in substandard housing, where there can be greater exposure to triggers like mould and dust mites or may be living in areas where there are higher levels of air pollution or pollens.”Respiratory infections, which are more common in overcrowded housing due to the higher risk of spreading infections, were also a key asthma trigger, Dr Homaira said. On top of these triggers, those in regional and remote communities have greater difficulty accessing appropriate health care, as most specialist paediatric asthma services were based in metropolitan hospitals, Dr Homaira added. Childhood asthma variation was found to be associated with area-level sociodemographic features, such as social deprivation and Indigenous density. The findings could potentially contribute to the development of more effective asthma management strategies and improvements in services for children living in socially deprived areas.“We know that in Australia almost 40% of all health outcomes in children can be explained by socioeconomic disadvantages. Even in a country like Australia, there's significant disparities that determine a child's health trajectory over the years,” Dr Homaira said.Pollen and other factors can send our breathing haywire.National Asthma Council Director and respiratory physician, Professor Peter Wark said the best defence for asthma sufferers was to have good day to day control of their condition.“Most people with asthma, who are aged over six years, should be using a preventor to keep their asthma under control. Now is the time to check in with your GP and make sure you are on the best treatment to control your asthma and know what to do in a spring thunderstorm or asthma emergency.”“Even people with hay fever, who have never had asthma, should visit their GP if they experience worsening asthma symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing or tightness in their chest.”

Hundreds of people gathered over the long weekend in what may be Coonamble's final annual greyhound carnival as the local race track stares down the potential end of an era. Spectators travelled from as far as Melbourne and Brisbane to watch the October Carnival run 58 races on three days between 4-7 October, with up to around 150 spectators on Friday night. Five people from Orange, usually a three-and-a-half-hour drive, even arrived via helicopter, including breeder Cameron Hallinan and friends, landing in a carpark area between the racecourse and the Castlereagh Highway. "Camo (Mr Hallinan) decided that it was probably a fitting event, being potentially one of the last meets at Coonamble, to chopper up and enjoy the day," pilot Dean Brus said. Riverina-based trainer Shannon Ellis took home the top prize of $15,000 in the 305-metre Gold Maiden Final on Monday afternoon with good boy Roy Kent, where The Times counted over 100 spectators. Trainer and Coonamble Greyhound Club President also won the 530-metre Terminus Hotel Cup Final that day with Fancy Mal.Fancy Mal leads the pack in the final. PHOTO: River McCrossen "I think it's about the best carnival we've had in the last five years," Mr Pickering said. "I don't know what it cost him (Mr Hallinan) to fly up here. It would have cost a bit. "That goes to show the extent that people go to come to the Coonamble carnival." Behind the cheer, trainers and local spectators expressed optimism, disappointment, sadness and resignation about the track's future, including for the economic boost that would go with the carnival. Industry body Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) confirmed in May that the local track would close under an "organisational reset." The body also said it would slash as much as 30 per cent of its annual costs. CEO says decision unchangedActing GRNSW CEO Wayne Billet attended the carnival on Friday, about four months after the track closure confirmation. He has committed to revisiting Coonamble in the weeks following the carnival, where he will speak with local club members and Barwon MP Roy Butler. Mr Billett declined to say whether he believes the track should remain open, although he said the body's decision, made before he became Acting CEO, remains unchanged.Mr Billett at the Friday evening races. PHOTO: The Coonamble Times/ River McCrossen"The board's decision has been that the club's closed, and that's their position at the current time," Mr Billett said."I'll come to that meeting, as I indicated I would. What they are going to bring up at that meeting, I'm not sure."Coonamble-raised race sponsor Jamie McHugh said he is "a little bit optimistic" that the body may change its mind. "People just like coming out here. They enjoy it," said Mr McHugh, who now lives in Queensland. "Hopefully GRNSW do decide to give Coonamble the opportunity to continue. The crowd this year is as good as it usually is. The bookmakers are here as usual. "Even if they take a position where they would allow it to continue as a club and maybe have the October long weekend remain as a picnic race meeting - maybe a one-off annual thing - that may be how it all ends up."

An 18-year-old man has been charged over a crash in March that killed a 17-year-old boy. Emergency services were called on 24 March to The Gipps Way near Burcher, about 50 kilometers south of Condobolin, following reports of a crash. Police attending the crash located a utility that had left the roadway and rolled. "The passenger, a 17-year-old boy, died at the scene," a police spokesperson said. "The driver, an 18-year-old man, was treated for serious injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition. "A crime scene was established as specialist police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident." Following inquiries by the Crash Investigation Unit, the driver was arrested yesterday at Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he was charged with dangerous drive occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death. He was also charged with driving with a low range 'Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol' (PCA), meaning a blood alcohol level between 0.05 to 0.079. The man was given conditional bail to appear before West Wyalong Local Court on Thursday 21 November 2024.

"That'll help pay for the morning tea." That was the reaction of Cobar Shire Council General Manager Peter Vlatko to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's 4.3 per cent cap on rate rises in the 2025-26 financial year. The cap, also known as the 'rate peg,' was released on 1 October and varies between 3.6 and 5.1 per cent for Local Governments Areas (LGAs) across NSW. Mr Vlatko said the shire's peg, reduced from 4.5 per cent in the 2024-25 financial year, does not keep up with council costs. "I can't see all our costs being less than 4.5," Mr Vlatko. "Our rate revenue is nearly $5 million - $4 million point something - but we run a business of around $50 million. My wage bill is around $11, $12 million." IPART expects that the average council's base costs in 2025-26 will rise 3.6 per cent.LGA2025-262025-24% CHANGE - FY 2024/25 to FY 202526Coonamble4.74.5+0.2Walgett4.24.5-0.3Bogan4.14.5-0.4Warrumbungle44.5-0.5Brewarrina5.14.5+0.6Bourke54.5+0.5Cobar4.34.5-0.2Narromine4.24.5-0.3Gilgandra4.24.5-0.3Warren4.14.5-0.4Lachlan4.34.5-0.2Councils can apply for an exemption to raise their peg.  Mr Vlatko said the shire's new councillors, sworn in on 26 September, will need to consider whether they want the council to make an application. IPART chair Carmel Donnelly said it is up to councils to decide whether to increase their rates to the maximum. Cobar Shire rate peg will drop by 0.2 per cent in the 2025-26 financial year. PHOTO: Western Plains App/ River McCrossen“The Tribunal understands that the community has been facing significant cost-of-living pressures and we have taken this into account in our decision making. We continue to make some adjustments to the rate peg over several years to limit the impact on ratepayer," Ms Donnelly said."We encourage anyone that is having difficulty paying their rates bill to get in touch with their council to access pensioner concessions and other hardship support.”IPART used a new methodology to calculate the 2025-26, which account for factors including population growth and the cost of running the 2024 local election costs.The body applied what it calls a 'population factor' to 72 of 128 councils to factor for the cost of population increases.In the western plains, this councils with a positive outcome from population growth included Coonamble, Bourke and Brewarrina.The factor does not reduce the rate cap for councils with declined or stable populations.Councils representative body Local Government NSW (LGNSW) said the new pegs recognised increasing costs facing rural councils.“We acknowledge that times are tough for everyone right across our community,” LGNSW president Darriea Turley said “But the reality is that costs increase for councils just as they do for other businesses and services - the cost of bitumen increases, construction costs only go up and salaries quite rightly increase every year. "Councils need to be able to lift their rates fairly and in accordance with the wishes – and needs - of their community; otherwise they go without."